IIC MENA Chapter meeting – save the date

Philip Marnick is the General Director of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA). He was appointed early January 2022 by the Members of the Board, to assume the position, paving the way for a more effective regulatory framework by continuing the evolution of the telecom sector liberalization.

Mr Marnick leads the TRA, including the development of consumer protection initiatives and resolving disputes. The TRA develops regulatory rules that promote competition, innovation, and investment in broadband services and facilities, as well as developing a more comprehensive and competitive framework that aligns with international best practices. Ensuring that Bahrain remains a center of innovation and that its telecommunications sector serves everyone while supporting Bahrain’s strategic objectives.

Before assuming his role at the TRA, Mr Marnick managed and directed at Ofcom in the UK, where he was the Group Director of Spectrum responsible for all aspects of UK national and international spectrum management – from strategy to delivery including awards, clearance and enforcement. Mr Marnick has worked in the telecommunications sector for over 30 years. He has served as a senior executive in technology, operations, and strategy. Mr Marnick has worked in both start-ups (from inception to sale) and major corporations, in firms such as UK Broadband, O2, Orange, BT, J-Phone in Japan (now Softbank Mobile), Extreme Mobile, and SpinVox (now Nuance).

From analogue to 5G, he has engaged across every mobile generation. Throughout his carrier he has been at the forefront of industry developments – in both fixed and mobile. He has collaborated on the first deployments of mobile networks utilizing new technologies and standards, this has also included innovative products such as the first camera phone and photo messaging service, as well as mobile internet and hosted voice services.

Abdullah Khaled Al-Ajmi serves as the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority.

With over three decades of dedicated experience in information technology and electronic payment systems, Abdullah Khaled Al-Ajmi is a seasoned leader. During his thirteen-year tenure as Chief Executive Officer at the National Network for Payment Systems in Kuwait (KNET), he showcased exceptional leadership, driving growth and innovation.

Mr Al-Ajmi possesses a wealth of expertise in strategic management, collaboration with domestic and international enterprises, and navigating regulatory frameworks. He excels in crafting organizational structures, implementing governance mechanisms, conducting audits, managing risks, and overseeing operations with finesse.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering from Kuwait University, solidifying his academic foundation in the field.

Mr Ahmed Jaber Aldoseri is an ICT expert with over 25 years of experience and a specialization in cyber security and telecommunications, supported by an academic background in law.

MrAldoseri has held several notable positions in the past including Acting Director General of Information Security and Radiocommunications at the Central Informatics Organization, Director of ICT and Cyber Safety at the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, Vice Chairman of Bahrain Internet Exchange, Independent Board Member of BNET, and Partner at Aldoseri Law among others. Prior to his current position, he provided advisory services to the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Government on Cybersecurity matters and regulations.

Mr Aldosari is an international trainer and speaker who has also contributed to writing several of Bahrain’s digital laws and regulations. Mr Aldoseri has also received several awards for his cyber security work and has been published in several professional and academic journals.

He earned his BSc in Law with honors, which granted him dual specialization and allowed him to better champion all matters related to technology. Amongst his professional certifications are CISSP, CEH, ECSA, RHCE, and MCSE.

Ali Hayajneh is a senior regulatory analyst follows telecoms regulation in the MENA region. Before joining Cullen International in 2020, Mr Hayajneh worked in Jordan at the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) as the section head for the spectrum licensing.

Mr Hayajneh worked also in Qatar for the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) as section head for telecom infrastructure. Mr Hayajneh also worked in regulatory operations, compliance, and spectrum management for Etisalat UAE and Zain Jordan.

Ameen is the CEO of INFINITEWARE, an artificial intelligence company that provides products and services to several clients across the globe, INFINITEWARE has been working with large clients such as Saudi Aramco, STC, Zain and the government of Bahrain. A Google Developer Expert (GDE) in machine learning and a recognized veteran speaker and a technical authority who spoke at major tech businesses ranging from Google, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and at huge conferences spanning Bahrain, Lebanon, Dubai and the rest of the world.

Ameen has been in the software business for more than 15 years, Ameen used to work in R&D in Saudi Aramco and the US, his experience spans multiple technical disciplines ranging from artificial intelligence (AI), security and penetration testing, 3D programming, and simulation, hardware design and programming, he’s the founder of the game development scene in Bahrain where he teaches the magic of game development and AI, an author with courses on artificial intelligence and blockchain.

Amjad El Nayal is a telecommunications engineer based in Bahrain. He currently serves as the Manager of Technology at the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Bahrain, where he heads the industry technology portfolio covering everything from the adoption of the latest wireless technologies, to the national fibre network, advanced satellite communication and the Quality of Service and Experience from different access technologies, as well as emerging technologies such as AI and Industrial IoT and the innovations that they bring.

Amjad El Naya has been in the telecommunications industry for 18 years and has held multiple roles in mobile network engineering, business development, product marketing, consumer affairs and spectrum management, industry digitization and advising on technical matters both internally to the regulator and externally as an advisor to the Women in Tech Chapter of Bahrain, and also called upon by the Ministry of Justice and Islamic affairs as a Telecoms subject expert on telecommunications court cases.

Amjad El Naya started his career at a telecommunications operator and then made the move to the national regulator, giving him a deep and holistic understanding of the telecommunications and ICT sector

Andrew has over 20 years of specialist TMT experience in a sophisticated legal and regulatory environment. He is a telecoms expert and has become one of the leading specialists in the Middle East on cloud-based technology deals, including government procurement and information security requirements in regard to cloud services.  Andrew frequently interacts and holds strong relationships with local federal government departments and regulators.

Andrew has advised major clients on a variety of complex contractual issues and commercial transactions, especially in connection with the launch of new platforms and services.  He has assisted government departments and government-owned entities in diversification projects that invest in technological developments and improve innovation.  He also provides important UAE local law advisory services to multinationals (either directly or through international law firms) in respect of their TMT sector plans in the Middle East

Andrew is a key part of our growing data protection team, advising on the extra-territorial application of GDPR, the introduction of new data protection laws and broader regional privacy and cybersecurity issues. He also has considerable experience in advising on competition law issues in the telecommunications industry, having represented both incumbent and new entrant parties in interconnection and other regulatory court related proceedings. Andrew has acted as external legal advisor to two telecommunications regulators in the region.

Prior to joining Al Tamimi & Company, Andrew was a TMT Partner at a prestigious New Zealand law firm. He moved to the UAE in late 2013 and has been recognised in Who’s Who Legal UAE for Telecoms and data since 2016.

Andrew is a contributing author to various international publications on topics such as e-commerce, software protection media, advertising and entertainment law.

Mr Andersson has more than 20 years of experience in infrastructure industries. Before joining TRA Bahrain as a Senior Economist, Bo Andersson was the Chief Economist of the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) for 15 years. In this role he has been active in numerous regulatory matters in the telecom sector, covering areas from market competition to spectrum allocation. This work includes involvement both from a national as well as an international perspective.

Bo Andersson has a Ph.D. in economics from Stockholm School of Economics and has a background as a researcher. He has written several papers and journal articles on price formation and competition in deregulated markets.

Dikmen Edgu is Partner and Head of MENA region at Axon Partners Group, an international firm founded in 2006 that provides investment and advisory services in the ICT and digital space in more than 70 countries across the world.

Mr Edgu is an international strategy consultant with strong expertise in emerging technology and innovation, and has worked with Regulators, Governments and Corporates alike across Europe and Asia. He has led multiple advisory projects in a wide range of policy and regulatory issues with National Cybersecurity Agencies on strategic projects, from the assessment of national ICT infrastructure to the creation of cybersecurity policies and regulations.

Mr Edgu holds a BA in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Francesco Paolo Di Gregorio, Director Advocacy & Policy, in Ooredoo Qatar and Chairman of the IIC MENA Chapter Committee on Digital Economy and Regulatory Modernization, has over 20 years’ experience in the electronic communications’ sector. He has  a strong legal and regulatory background worldwide having worked in various positions for Telecom Italia (in Italy, in Belgium and in the Americas) for the Qatari Communications Regulatory Authority and for Ooredoo (in Qatar). Much of his work focuses on formulating policies and legislative agendas bringing together the interests of the private and public sectors, the business and the regulation, the future and the present to the benefit of the whole society.

Francesco Paolo Di Gregorio is a qualified Italian lawyer. He holds a master’s degree in law from LUISS University in Rome (Italy), a master in mobile communications from Federico II University in Naples (Italy) and an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) from RSM – Erasmus University in Rotterdam (the Netherlands).

Fraser Graham is Director Public Policy for Ooredoo Group.

Mr Graham has more than 20 years of telecoms experience in public policy advocacy, international regulatory affairs, data privacy and regulatory modernization. This experience has been gained with mobile groups, operators, Deloitte Consulting and GSMA across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Based in the Middle East for the last decade Mr Graham has worked with Etisalat and GSMA across the region.

Gareth advises on commercial dispute resolution, regulatory and competition matters with a particular focus on the Technology and Communications sectors.

Gareth has an international practice having spent over 11 years based in our Middle East offices and has been consistently ranked in Global directories for his arbitration, investigation and disputes work. Gareth now shares his time between the UK and the GCC and continues to support clients in complex, high-value cases across a wide range of jurisdictions. Gareth has especial experience in international arbitrations having represented clients in DIAC, BCDR, LCIA, UNICTRAL and ICC Arbitral proceedings.

Gareth also advises TMT clients in relation to regulatory and data protection compliance acting for operators, regulators and technology companies across the GCC (and wider).

Bio coming soon ….

Dr Jean Pierre Scerri is a UK qualified lawyer originating from Malta. He has more than 20 years’ experience in technology, media, IT and telecoms sector having worked in private practice and in-house in cable, PSTN and mobile as well as for the regulator across a number of jurisdictions including the UK, Central Europe and the Middle East. He has been working in the region for more than 8 years at TRA Bahrain where he has been responsible for a number of strategically important initiatives including the legal separation of the incumbent, the National Broadband Network project, review of the Licensing Regime and the rewrite of the Telecommunications Law.

Jenny is responsible for the GSMA’s mPowerYouth programme, which addresses the full range of potential impacts on child rights in the digital context – from protection to participation – through knowledge sharing and advocacy. She also coordinates the GSMA Mobile Alliance to combat Digital Child Sexual Exploitation, which brings together an international group of mobile operators within the GSMA who have committed to working together and taking proactive steps to fight technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation.

On behalf of the GSMA, Jenny works closely with organisations such as UNICEF and Child Helpline International to promote collaborative approaches to protecting and promoting children’s fundamental rights to, through and in the digital environment.

Jenny holds a BA in modern languages from the University of Oxford, and a Masters in Children’s Rights from the University of Geneva.

With over two decades of experience in the technology sector, Khaled Shivji works for Microsoft’s Corporate, External and Legal Affairs (CELA) department as the country lead serving Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. Khaled’s dedication lies in solving crucial legal, regulatory, policy, and commercial challenges for Microsoft’s customers.

Khaled is responsible for overseeing compliance, policy & commercial matters and serving as a liaison with governmental authorities. Khaled adeptly represents the company’s interests and values in external for a wide array of public policy areas such as AI, cloud, cybersecurity, data protection, diversity & inclusion and ESG. His academic accomplishments include a LL.M International Legal Practice, LLB Law, and a B.Eng. Internet Engineering. Khaled is also a practising Solicitor (England & Wales).

Lynn Robinson became Director General of the International Institute of Communications (IIC), in March 2020.

Lynn is an experienced senior director and trustee / non exec-director, having held key senior leadership positions in the technology, built environment, regulation, accreditation and dental industries. She has extensive experience of professional membership bodies working within the full spectrum including, Regulatory bodies, Industry associations and Chambers of Commerce. Lynn is a well-known and established ambassador in these areas having led on many strategic programmes to aid engagement, growth, retention, change management, stakeholder and political engagement.

An experienced Trustee / Non-Executive Director as Vice Chair at Arnos Vale Cemetery Trust, a unique heritage site in the heart of Bristol (UK), Lynn is also a Trustee / Non-Executive Director at The Bristol and Bath (UK), Parks Foundation.

Reflecting on becoming Director General at the IIC at the outbreak of a pandemic, Lynn said, ‘these last two years have been like no other we have known, with many challenges coming our way. In 2020 we successfully pivoted the organisation through a digital transformation programme to maintain a full schedule of events and by increasing the outputs delivered. Transforming the programme enabled us to continue to deliver the professional service and increase our engagement with IIC members and stakeholder community to remain connected to them through such a difficult time.

As we move through 2022, I am delighted to return to a combined in-person and online programme and to continue to evolve the IIC in to the next phase, with the vision and strategic focus to deliver our objectives and to build on our growth, engagement and retention’.

Mahmood Alzadjali is a seasoned professional in the field of telecommunications with a diverse background spanning regulatory affairs, engineering, and business management. Mahmood Alzadjali earned his Bachelor of Science degree with honors in Telecommunications Engineering from the esteemed Rochester Institute of Technology in the United States in 2002. Equipped with a solid foundation in the technical aspects of telecommunications, he furthered his education by pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree from Bedfordshire University (the United Kingdom) in 2008. With over two decades of experience in telecommunications regulatory matters, Mahmood Alzadjali has established himself as a prominent authority in his field. His journey in regulatory affairs has been marked by a commitment to fostering innovation. His insights into the evolving landscape of telecommunications have been invaluable in shaping policies that drive industry growth while safeguarding consumer interests.

Currently serving as the Senior Manager of Governance and Risk Management at the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority in Oman, Mahmood Alzadjali plays a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the organization. His responsibilities include overseeing governance frameworks, managing risk portfolios, and implementing robust compliance mechanisms to uphold the integrity of Oman’s telecommunications sector. In addition to this role, he is an integral part of the Strategic Planning unit, where he contributes to the development and execution of strategic initiatives aimed at advancing Oman’s telecommunications ecosystem.

Martin is a TMT specialist with over 20 years’ experience, 15 of which have been in the Middle East. He advises on technology, media and telecommunications matters across the Middle East with a particular focus on data protection and cybersecurity matters.

Martin is a market-leading TMT expert who has experience across a wide breadth of TMT work, including TMT transformation transactions, telecoms, e-commerce, privacy and data protection and tech in the Financial Services sector.

Bio coming soon…

Before joining Google as Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy for Saudi Arabia, Sarah was a Senior Adviser in the Office of the Assistant Minister of Tourism and the General Director of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Tourism where she coordinated the Kingdom’s engagements in international organizations such as the UN World Tourism Organization and
OECD, and cooperation with countries bilaterally. Sarah was also the 2020 Chair of the G20 Tourism Working Group.

Under her leadership, the Group delivered the 2020 outcomes to support the recovery of the tourism sector from the global pandemic, inclusive community development through tourism, safe and seamless travel, and engagement with the private sector.

Sarah started her career in New York, working for the Permanent Mission of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations. During her time in New York, Sarah worked on policy related to legal affairs and
countering-terrorism, peacekeeping operations, establishment of diplomatic relations, and multilateral elections.

Sarah attended American University, where she earned a BA in International Studies, and subsequently earned a MA in Diplomacy and International Relations at School of Diplomacy at Seton Hall University and a MS at the Division of Global Affairs at Rutgers University specializing in Global Security and Multilateral Counter-Terrorism Policy.

Sh. Abdulla Bin Humood Al Khalifa currently holds the position of Director of Consumer Affairs and Communications at Bahrain’s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), founded in 2002. With his vast experience, Sh. Abdulla plays a pivotal role in safeguarding consumer rights within the telecommunications industry. Throughout his recognized career, Sh. Abdulla engages with stakeholders and collaborates closely with service providers to create a more transparent telecoms environment for consumers. Sh. Abdulla has contributed to implementing a range of initiatives aimed at improving the quality of telecommunications services and ensuring consumer protection. He has directed impactful campaigns to raise awareness about consumer rights, educate the public on online safety and its implications, and establish effective mechanisms for handling consumer complaints.

Simon has over 20 years of legal experience, including over 10 years as a partner in UK-based international law firms (8 of these in a leading telecoms and technology firm).

Simon has spent 6 years in the Middle East, initially as Head of Legal and Regulatory in Batelco, the Bahrain telecoms incumbent, then performing the same function in Atheeb, a new entrant in the telecoms sector in Saudi Arabia, before starting his own practice advising on telecoms and IT throughout the Middle East.

Visiola Pula follows cybersecurity regulation at EU level and national cybersecurity developments in the Austria and Germany.  At EU level, she focuses on initiatives such as the NIS2 Directive, 5G security, the Cyber Resilience Act and certification efforts under the EU Cybersecurity Act.

Ms Pula joined Cullen International in July 2015, after graduating from the University of Hamburg in EU Law and Affairs.

Cullen International is a leading regulatory intelligence provider recognised for its neutral analysis and clear explanations of telecoms and digital policy, regulation, and law.

Vladislav Klimov drives the end-to-end cloud deployment strategy for EMEA South. This includes data center coverage, cloud in-country requirements, & defining how SAP addresses compliance, data residency, legal & security needs of customers & regulators.